Podcast: Episode 12 - Batman Returns commentary

With Christmas just around the corner, now seems as good a time as any to do a commentary for Batman Returns.

Of all the Batman movies, this is the one where my opinion has changed the most over the years. I used to like it quite a bit as a teenager but recently I've found more and more issues with it. I don't have any problem with Tim Burton changing the origins of Catwoman and Penguin - making them more animalistic - but I do find the tone very off putting and the story a bit of a jumble of ideas.

It's also a shame that Batman/Bruce Wayne has so little to do in the film. It's really Penguin's story - featuring Batman here and there.

Anyway, give the commentary a listen and... come what may... Merry Christmas.

If you want to just listen to the commentary without having YouTube open, here's a link to the mp3.

Podcast: Episode 11 - Batman Begins commentary

Well, we did audio commentaries for the two Schumacher Batman films so it made sense to keep going and do one for 2005's Batman Begins - a film that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Both Drew are a little muted on our love for this film. Lots of complicated feelings. As much as we respect Christopher Nolan - we both find his movies a little robotic and cold at times.

One interesting thing I've never really talked about is how I actually got to go to the set of this film as an extra (sadly I didn't get in front of the camera) but I did get to have a good look at the sets contained inside Cardington Hangars. To hear more about this and other topics, go listen.

If you don't want to have youtube open while you watch, here's a link to the commentary as an mp3.

Podcast: Episode 8 - Batman & Robin was a SHOCK to leads Chris O'Donnell & Alicia Silverstone (Entertainment Weekly)

A pretty interesting article came out from Entertainment Weekly (link here) recently in which Chris O'Donnell and Alicia Silverstone, while promoting their new projects, looked back at the making and immediate aftermath of Batman & Robin.

Both are pretty honest about their experiences and the film's shortcomings. Silverstone's comments are more to do with the filming and getting in to the costumes. Both of which sound bewildering.

Chris O'Donnell's are more about the critical drubbing the film received. I've got to say as an actor it must be tough when a film is critically panned but you still have to go out and promote it like it's the best thing ever. O'Donnell sounds like he handled it well and has come to accept the film was still "fun to be a part of". I guess he ultimately found his feet in the NCIS: LA TV show and doesn't have to worry about past failures,

But it's sad to hear him say that Joel "was so heartbroken and kind of bummed out about it".

In this podcast episode Drew Griffin goes through the article (and comments) and gives us his thoughts on it all.

Podcast: Episode 7 - Batman & Robin is a Flawless Masterpiece

Yeah, we're up to episode 7 of the podcast now.

This one is a solo video of Drew reacting to Space Ice's funny and sarcastic video on Batman & Robin. Lots of fun points, bold claims, hilarious jabs, and plot holes explored.

Enjoy!

Podcast: Episode 6 - Batman & Robin Commentary

I'm back with Drew Griffin to this time talk through the 1997 Batman & Robin movie. So grab you copy and press play.

Don't expect a hate watch. We both see this movie as heavily flawed but it's far from the worst film ever made.

If you don't want to have youtube open while you watch, here's a link to the commentary as an mp3.

Podcast: Episode 1 and 2 of 1995 Batman podcast out now

So Drew and I have started a recording a few episodes of this discussion podcast where we watch some videos or read some articles  related to the Schumacher Batman films and have a chat about the contents. 

Hope you enjoy! It's a fun way of getting us to bring up our individual thoughts and ideas about what does and doesn't work about the two Schumacher films.

The first episode has us looking at an article from TheShot.com about 5 Reasons Why Batman Forever is the Best of the  Batman Movies.

And in episode 2 we take a look at Eyebrow Cinema's video essay looking at both Schumacher Batman films (*note, this video will have a part 2 later).